New Digitally-Enhanced Hotel Captures Essence of New York City with High-Low Design Elements, Local Art and Groundbreaking Technology
New York, NY, 2016-Apr-06 — /Travel PR News/ — Renaissance Hotels’ new U.S. flagship property, the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel, which opened in Manhattan on March 21, 2016, personifies the brand’s ‘Fearlessly Chic’ global design philosophy and ‘Business Unusual’ outlook by catering to the Next Generation business traveler who seeks adventure and a connection with the local neighborhood on every business trip. Award-winning design studio Jeffrey Beers International (JBI) captures the authenticity and glamour of the city through innovative technology never before showcased in a New York hotel.
To bring the design to life, Beers collaborated with Roger Parent of interdisciplinary technology firm Réalisations Inc. Montreal. New York City’s first “living” hotel is comprised of sensational, ever-changing digital experiences inspired by the fashion and artistic industries in the neighborhood which are an integral and informative element of the design. Specifically designed to interact with visitors from the moment they enter the hotel, the property features ambient intelligent corridors that respond to human movement, digitally enhanced elevator banks, and a never-before-seen Discovery Portal Powered by Time Out that showcases hyper-local neighborhood guides on a user-friendly digital alcove to be accessed with the point of a finger or tap of a toe. A four-story LED digital clock at the top of the building will also bring the hotel to life and will add a beacon of light to the city’s skyline for all to enjoy.
Using New York City as his muse, Beers’ vision was to capture the energy of the neighborhood by juxtaposing high-low design components, such as smooth millwork and polished marble against the rough texture of exposed concrete walls, to create elegant yet edgy public spaces and guest rooms. The purposeful disparity of materials was new to Beers, known for his work at properties around the world including Miami’s Fontainebleau, Daniel Boulud’s db Bistro Moderne in New York and Singapore, and the One&Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas, making the Renaissance New York Midtown unlike any project he has worked on.
“Having grown up in New York, I thrive on the fast-paced rhythm of the lifestyle here. I wanted the design of this hotel to capture the vibrancy and creative energy of the city; to immerse visitors in the real New York,” said Beers. “There are a number of elements throughout the design that are meant to provide an unexpected moment of enjoyment and playfulness — inspired by Renaissance’s ‘look and look again’ philosophy. The artwork, for example, might appear to be a two-dimensional painting from afar, but as visitors get closer they will see that it is actually composed of pins or pencils.”
To fully integrate the local Garment District into the hotel design, Beers concepted an art program based on literal references to this surrounding industry. With the help of art marketplace Indie Walls, Beers commissioned original works from contemporary artists like Andre Woolery, whose piece uses varying sizes of custom-colored red buttons pinned to a painted canvas to create a tactile, fluidly abstract pattern. Brooklyn-based artist Abby Goodman created a piece with more than 50 real, painted stiletto heels. Sculptural metal pieces by local NYC artist Carlos Mare (a.k.a. ‘Mare 139’), whose unique style of three-dimensional graffiti has been exhibited in galleries around the world, are showcased in the public spaces. Vibrant photographic collages by urban photographer Nicolas Ruel are projected onto exposed concrete panels which flank the front desk, depicting various New York City scenes.
Surprising design elements are found throughout the hotel, from flirtatious graphics at the back of each guestroom closet, to inspiring quotes in the bathrooms. Life-size images are etched on the back walls of the elevator cabs and each time the elevator doors open on the ground floor, guests will be treated to specially-curated digital imagery showcasing local artists and neighborhood experiences. Timed to mirror the opening and closing of the elevators, the projected digital displays will always be evolving and the hotel will be visually different on each and every visit.
“Today’s, and even more importantly, tomorrow’s business traveler has a desire for discovery and wanderlust,” said Toni Stoeckl, Vice President of Marriott International’s Lifestyle Brands. “Jeffrey Beers International fully embraced this idea by seamlessly bringing elements of the Garment District, New York City’s iconic fashion epicenter, into the hotel’s interior design, peppering the experience for our guests with fun, unexpected moments of discovery throughout their stay. Renaissance New York Midtown’s intelligent design-driven technology will inspire guests to explore the neighborhood and discover the unexpected at every turn.”
Located on 35th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, the hotel boasts 348 guest rooms, including seven Executive Suites and one Empire Suite. Each guest room offers a sophisticated neutral palette with pops of purple or grey throughout the bedding and upholstery. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the spacious rooms use pale finishes, maximize natural light, and adhere to an uncluttered aesthetic. A gradient frosted-glass shower wall separates the all-white Italian marble en-suite bathroom from the sleeping area.
On the sixth floor guests will find a sleek Lobby Bar, Library Lounge, a clandestine DJ booth and Club Lounge for Elite Marriott Rewards members and preferred guests. The hotel offers 4,500 square-feet of meeting space which can be separated into smaller conference rooms with glass air walls. Floor-to-ceiling windows will offer magnificent views of the city, while stylized inspirational quotes from fashion greats such as Coco Chanel and Oscar de la Renta painted onto the raw concrete back wall, pay homage to the neighborhood.
Rock and Reilly’s gourmet gastropub, on the fifth floor, offers an 8,000 square-foot outdoor terrace, a rarity in New York City, with a retractable roof, private cabanas, comfortable seating and two fully-stocked bars.
For more information on the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel, please call 1-212-239-0014 or visit www.newyorkrenaissance.com.
Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel
Designed by award-winning Jeffrey Beers International, the 348-room Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel is New York City’s first digitally enhanced hotel. Located in the heart of the Garment District at 35th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, the hotel will offer hyper-local insider information through the renowned Renaissance Navigator program and combine groundbreaking digital guest experiences with a mix of high-low design elements, celebrating the industrial grit and glamour of the city. Digital highlights of the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel include a “living” digital tapestry projected along the entrance corridor wall that responds to human motion, a user-friendly Discovery Portal Powered by Time Out connected to the hotel’s Navigator program, and a four-story LED clock on the hotel roof, which will be a new fixture of the New York City skyline. The hotel also boasts The Lobby Bar, Club Lounge for Elite Marriott Rewards members and preferred guests, 4,500 square-feet of meeting space, and Rock and Reilly’s gourmet gastropub with an 8,000 square-foot fifth floor terrace and retractable roof. The Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel is operated by 365 Management Company under license from Marriott International, Inc. or one of its affiliates.
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Renaissance Hotels
Renaissance Hotels believes in defying business travel conventions for guests who crave unexpected experiences. At Renaissance Hotels, It’s Business Unusual. Each of the brand’s 160 hotels, located in over 35 countries around the world, is unique and every stay offers unconventional programs that help business travelers discover rich, local experiences. We promise to feed the curiosity, fuel the imagination and excite the senses of our guests, who see their business trip as an exciting opportunity for new, interesting and sharable experiences. We understand their desire to make the most out of every moment and we offer signature events in our lobbies, bars and lounges designed to showcase emerging talent in music, the arts, mixology, gastronomy and more. Renaissance Navigators are neighborhood experts who are ready to assist guests in discovering true local flavors and activities. R.E.N. Meetings offers groups an experience beyond a traditional meeting, rooted in creative sensory meeting design and custom-curated local Navigator excursions and networking events. At Renaissance Hotels, we work to ensure that every trip is transformed into an eye-opening, unforgettable journey. To discover more visit www.renhotels.com. For upcoming events visit www.renhotels.com/events.
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Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,400 properties in 87 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of more than $14 billion in fiscal year 2015. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, Bulgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and Moxy Hotels®.Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together comprise nearly 55 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visitwww.marriottnewscenter.com.
Jeffrey Beers International
Celebrating culture, life, and people through design.
Jeffrey Beers International (JBI) is a full-service design studio with an award-winning portfolio of projects spanning a variety of categories. Combining an artist’s sense of craft and exploration with a nuanced understanding of the client’s vision, JBI’s timeless approach to design creates vibrant spaces uniquely informed by the firm’s strong foundation in hospitality.
Founded by Jeffrey Beers in 1986, JBI represents the culmination of its founder’s rich artistic and cultural background, sophisticated urban sensibilities, and standout design skills. The result is a dynamic and diverse company whose team consists of architects, interior designers, painters, sculptors and graphic designers in order to bring a mix of unique perspectives to every project.
With a level of taste respected and called upon by notable chefs including Daniel Boulud, Jean-George Vongerichten, and Michel Richard, to projects with venerated hotel brands like Atlantis Resorts and Miami’s Fontainebleau, JBI consistently creates transportive, engaging venues. As the firm extends beyond restaurants and hotels, it is leveraging this expertise to revolutionize other spheres of design as well.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Cindy Adams: cindy@mgamediagroup.com
Victoria Hart: Victoria.Hart@marriott.com
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Jeffrey Beers International designs New York City’s first digitally enhanced hotel, Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel